COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Cochise County Assessor's Office misinterpreted state law on property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans, leaving some who were approved for the exemption now on the hook for taxes they were told they wouldn't owe.
Kevin Lassiter and Lisa Marie are both 100% disabled veterans. Both received letters saying they were approved not to pay property taxes for 2026. They applied before the March deadline, only to have their approvals revoked in May.
"I don't mind being told no, but I don't like being told yes, and then being told no," Lassiter said.
Both veterans said they asked whether there was an income requirement before applying and were told there was not. A copy of the application includes a question asking about household income. Lassiter said he was told to ignore that section.
"I think that the county didn't do their due diligence on the front end, and so now you kind of pulled the rug from under people on the backside," Lassiter said.
They, and all other applicants, did have to provide proof that their disabilities were connected to their service. Applicants have to submit a VA disability award and a summary of benefits letter to the Assessor's office when they submit the application.
Cochise County Assessor Philip Leiendecker declined an interview but said the office did not check income levels — something that had to be verified for applications to be considered. Leiendecker said he misinterpreted one of the sections of the law.
County Attorney Lorri Zucco said the income restrictions have always been in the legislation.
According to HB2792, "To qualify for this exemption, the total income from all sources of the claimant and the claimant's spouse and the income from all sources of all the claimant's children who resided with the claimant in the claimant's residence in the year immediately preceding the year for which the claimant applies for the exemption shall not exceed $34,901 if none of the claimant's children under 18 years of age resided with the claimant in the claimant's residence or $41,870 if one or more of the claimant's children are residing with the claimant in the claimant's residence."
However, social security, military pensions, and veteran disability payments are excluded from counting towards those income limits.
"That's an issue they should have known, and they should have given that information when we filed. The fact that they didn't cause the problem, and for me and other veterans," Marie said.
Marie had her mortgage payment adjusted after being approved in April. She said her bills are now about $200 more per month to make up for the missed time.
"It's just a hardship for me, being single and not having a lot of income coming in, just my disability. I have to cut back on things that I didn't think that I would have to cut back on," Marie said.
Both Lassiter and Marie asked the assessor's office for an explanation of what happened. When they did not get a specific answer, I asked — and was told the same thing they were: it was a mistake.
"I felt like I was being blown off, ignored, and not important, frankly. I mean, it is very upsetting to be dismissed," Marie said.
Veterans who make less than the designated income amount cannot reapply at this time, because the deadline has passed. All affected veterans will have to pay property taxes this year.
Lawmakers are working on removing the income requirement for next year. I will continue to follow this situation.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
----
——-
Alexis Ramanjulu is a reporter in Cochise County for KGUN 9. She began her journalism career reporting for the Herald/Review in Sierra Vista, which she also calls home. Share your story ideas with Alexis by emailing alexis.ramanjulu@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook.
